20 Beautiful Greek Islands

1. Santorini

You might feel like you’ve already been there; you’re bound to have seen the iconic shots of domed white-washed houses set against bright blue sea (if not, see below). Well, it’s even better in person and you might be surprised to find that not all the beaches are pristine swathes of golden sands, but some are in fact black! The most southern island in the Cyclades chain, Santorini, is made of volcanic rock, hence the unusual color of their dunes.

How to get to Santorini:

Good news – you’re just a plane ride away from sipping cocktails on the beach. Fly directly to Santorini from Manchester, London, Birmingham and Bristol, with regular routes from EasyJet and Thomson.

2. Mayconos

While its cousin in the Cyclades, Santorini, is the spot for canoodling lovers, Mykonos is the place to go to party ’til dawn. It’s a popular stop for island hoppers, looking for a good time. Head to Mykonos Town for your pick of the island’s best bars and nightclubs; from classy cocktails in Caprice, to pumping dance music at Argo Bar.

How to get to Mykonos:

Fly in the day, party at night. British Airways and EasyJet have direct flights to Mykonos from London, while Thomas Cook and EasyJet fly from Manchester.

3. Corfu

The hideaway of choice for Jason and his Argonauts after they took the Golden Fleece, playwright William Shakespeare was also apparently inspired by Corfu, basing Prospero’s island in _The Tempest _on the place. You’ll find plenty of drama in the bustling bars and nightclubs in Kavos, but head to Old Perithia in the north east to see a different side to the island. This is Corfu’s oldest village, nestled at the foot of Mount Pantokrator, surrounded by peaceful vineyards and beautiful Venetian-style ruins.

How to get to Corfu:

This is one of the easiest (and most popular) islands to visit from the UK, with direct flights from 16 airports. Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2 and Thomas Cook all fly to Corfu International Airport (aka Ioannis Kapodistrias).

4. Milos

Another volcanic island in the Cyclades, Milos is earning itself a reputation as a holiday hotspot with international tourists, although its turquoise water and rocky hills have been popular with locals for years. Also known as ‘the Island of Color’s’ Milos is relatively quiet, compared with its bigger neighbors, so stop-by soon to enjoy its unspoilt landscape.

How to get to Milos:

Part of Milo’s charm is its unspoilt nature, so it makes sense that its airport is pretty small. Sadly, there are no direct flights from the UK, so the best option is to fly to Athens.

5. Kos

Moving over to the Dodecanese islands, Kos is the third largest in this group, after Rhodes and Karpathos. The birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, why not see where he trained, the Asklepeion? Lazy beach days are best enjoyed down on the south-west coast; head to Kefalos for the best selection of sandy spots to throw your towel down on.

How to get to Kos:

You can fly directly to the island from nine major UK cities, including London, Leeds, Cardiff and Glasgow. Thomas Cook, Jet2 and EasyJet all run regular routes, so you’ll be turfing out your spot of sand in no time.

6. Crete

The largest Greek island, Crete is home to the legendary Palace of Knossos. The Bronze Age complex is considered Europe’s oldest city, dating back to 7000BC. Today, there are scores of beaches for you to top up your tan on, plenty of fun in party town Malia, and traditional tavernas tucked away in hillside villages all over the island. Make sure you try a plate of snails, steamed, fried or grilled, they’re a local delicacy.

How to get to Crete:

Direct flights are available to Crete from over 10 major cities, including Edinburgh, Manchester, London and Birmingham.

7. Naxos

Possibly the greenest island in the Cyclades, Naxos’s incredible natural beauty has earned its reputation as the Hawaii of Greece. Almost 100km of white sandy beaches are lapped by incredibly clear waters, the perfect spot to get down on one knee perhaps? Do like Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, and find yourself a maiden to marry on Naxos, or take your own beach goddess there for a romantic retreat.

How to get to Naxos:

Beautiful beaches Naxos may have, but international airports it does not. If you want to visit this idyllic island, your best bet is to fly to Santorini or Mykonos.

8. Paros

A pearl in the Aegean Sea, Paros is often just a stopping-off point for holidaymakers on their way to nearby Ios and Santorini, but it deserves a little bit more of your holiday time. Home to plenty of postcard perfect villages, make sure you pop in to Parikia (the main town), Lefkes and Marpissa, to name just a few, for your fill of white-washed houses and mountains of home cooked meze, the Greek version of Spanish tapas.

9. Folegandros

For an authentic slice of Greek island life head to Folegandros, where there are few distractions besides Angali Beach, Chora Town, Karavostasi Port and Ano Meria village. This little-known island escape is a great place to go hiking, but despite being a little quieter than its neighbours, Folegandros gets pretty busy in high season and accommodation fills up quickly, so make sure you book in advance.

10. Alonissos

Pine forests and pebble beach’s await in Alonissos. This island in the Sporades group has become popular in recent years with jetsetters looking for a greener Greek getaway; there are many eco-resorts on the island, which means there are plenty of camp grounds where you can stay and convene with nature. Alonissos is one big marine park, the largest in Europe, so head here if you want to see monk seals or enjoy a bit of snorkelling.

How to get to Alonissos:

Another airport-less, but beautiful island. Fly to Skiathos or Athens, then get the boat across.

11. Kefalonia

The sixth largest Greek island, Kefalonia is the place to go if you want to supersize your island experience; from wide lakes and towering mountains, to heaving plates of hummus and olives dished out in local tavernas. For humble Greek cooking, get your laughing gear around a slab of Kefalonian meat pie; it’s not exactly dainty but it’s certainly delicious. Kefalonia also features on the big screen in the romantic war film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, starring Nicholas Cage.

How to get to Kefalonia:

An airport – it has an airport! You can fly directly to Kefalonia from 10 UK cities, including Edinburgh, Manchester and London.

12. Patmos

Supposedly picked by St. John as the place to pen the Book of Revelation, the caves of Patmos are a UNESCO World Heritage Site worth taking a peek at. Roam the island’s volcanic hills and swim in the azure waters – it’s the perfect spot to escape the usual package tours. The only thing likely to disrupt your peace and quiet are church and goat bells.

How to get to Patmos:

The closest airports to Patmos are Leros and Kos.

13. Hydra

Oh hai Hydra! This Saronic Gulf Island makes a great day trip from Athens – it’s only one and a half hours by catamaran – but there’s plenty here to keep you occupied for longer. Hit up Hydra’s Cathedral and musuem, or visit one of the many local art galleries and jewellery shops. While away the afternoon in a traditional taverna in Kamini, a small village that boast a pretty pebble beach.

How to get to Hydra:

You guessed it – there is no airport on Hydra. Your best bet is to fly to Athens, then set sail across the sea.

14. Skiathos

The smallest spot in the Sporades, Skiathos is perhaps the most stylish. Here you’ll find narrow cobbled streets lined with local artisan shops, cafés and restaurants. Gems and jewellery, hand-crafted on the island, make unique souvenirs. Apart from shopping, the other two big past-times in Skiathos are sunbathing and swimming. Do both at any one of the 60 beaches on the island – Koukounaries and Kanapista are just a couple of the best spots.

How to get to Skiathos:

Fly to Skiathos from five UK cities – London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham. The less time spent transferring, the more time spent on the beach.

15. Rhodes

If you were going to call a rose by any other name it might Rhodes, a name derived from rhodon, the greek for this romantic flower. This bloomin’ marvellous island is packed with historical sites, such as the castle of Kritinia, a 16th century Venetian fort. In fact, there’s so much ancient history here that Rhodes’s entire city centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, its main attraction being Colossus, a 30m statue to the sun god Helios.

How to get to Rhodes:

Jet2 and easyJet both fly directly to Rhodes, with departures from a whopping 16 UK airports.

16. Samos

Still searching for more UNESCO World Heritage sites to tick off your bucket list? Sail over to Samos, the birthplace of famous mathematician Pythagoras, and see the Temple of Hera, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Zeus’s wife and sister – sounds like a case for Jeremy Kyle! Samos is also a brilliant spot for hiking and mountain biking; there are more than 45 trails for you to choose from.

How to get to Samos:

You can fly directly to Samos from London.

17. Los

This one time hippy hangout is now the place to party in the Greek islands, making it popular with all the bright young things looking for (responsible) fun in the sun. The best way to explore Ios is on two wheels, preferrably motorised, as it’s quite hilly. Hire a scooter and go exploring all the hidden coves and bays – say hello to Homer as you ride past his tomb, which is also located here.

How to get to Ios:

There is no airport on Ios, but if you fly to Athens or Santorini,you can hire a car from Pak Travels.

18. Zakynthos (Zante)

You’ve probably seen the photo below hundreds of times; Navagio beach on the island of Zante is one of the most photographed in Greece. The wreckage found here was a smuggler ship which lost power and washed up on this beautiful bay back in 1981. Other picture-perfect beaches to visit are Gerakas, a large nesting site for loggerhead turtles, and Tsilivi, great for families with a range of watersports on offer.

How to get to Zakynthos:

This island is well-served by its international airport. Fly direct from 13 UK airports.

19. Skopelos

The largest island in the Sporades, stunning Skopelos is covered in rocky hills and pebble beaches. With just one main road on the island, you’re bound to end up in the main town which is also where most of the accommodation is. Get out to Glossa to see traditional houses and views across the water to neighbouring Skiathos.

How to get to Skopelos:

Skiathos airport is the closest to Skopelos. You can hire a car to get there.

20. Amorgos

Have an adventure on Amorgos and enjoy its unspoilt beauty. Take a hike and cross the island via various scenic trails, hitch a ride on donkey or hire a car. Whichever mode of transport you choose, have a look at Hozoviotissa Monastery, clinging to the cliff edge above the dazzling blue sea. In fact, the water here is so blue, it featured in the 1988 French film The Big Blue.

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